Biopsy device with variable side aperture

ABSTRACT

A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue port. The inner cutter may be advanced in the cutter lumen past the side tissue port to sever a tissue sample. After the tissue sample is severed, and before the inner cutter is retracted proximally of the side tissue port, the cutter may be used to alternately cover and uncover the fluid passageway disposed distally of the side tissue.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of prior, co-pending application Ser.No. 12/713,245, filed Feb. 26, 2010, which is a continuation of prior,co-pending application Ser. No. 12/018,451, filed Jan. 23, 2008, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,717,861, which is a divisional of prior application Ser.No. 11/072,719, filed Mar. 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,517,322, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application cross references and incorporates by reference thefollowing commonly assigned patent applications: U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/676,944, “Biopsy Instrument with Internal SpecimenCollection Mechanism,” filed Sep. 30, 2003 in the name of Hibner et al.,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,472; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/732,843, “Biopsy Device with Sample Tube” filed Dec. 10, 2003 in thename of Cicenas et al., now U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0153003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to biopsy devices, and moreparticularly to biopsy devices having a cutter for severing tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The diagnosis and treatment of tissue is an ongoing area ofinvestigation. Medical devices for obtaining tissue samples forsubsequent sampling and/or testing are know in the art. For instance, abiopsy instrument now marketed under the tradename MAMMOTOME iscommercially available from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. for use inobtaining breast biopsy samples.

The following patent documents disclose various biopsy devices and areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No.6,273,862 issued Aug. 14, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,522 issued May 15,2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,055 issued May 8, 2001; U.S. Pat. No.6,120,462 issued Sep. 19, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,544 issued Jul. 11,2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,230 issued Jun. 20, 2000; U.S. Pat. No.6,017,316 issued Jan. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,497 issued Dec. 28,1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,469 issued Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No.5,964,716 issued Oct. 12, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,164 issued Jul. 27,1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,333 issued Jul. 7, 1998; U.S. Pat. No.5,769,086 issued Jun. 23, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,547 issued Jul. 22,1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,822 issued Jun. 18, 1996, and US PatentApplication 2003/0199753 published Oct. 23, 2003 to Hibner et al.

These generally-known vacuum assisted core biopsy devices includedesirable features wherein larger samples are drawn in by vacuumassistance and severed by a cutter. These larger samples have benefitsover needle biopsies in obtaining a sample more likely to include atleast a portion of a suspicious lesion for diagnostic purposes. Inaddition, some of these known biopsy devices are capable of takingmultiple samples without having to remove the probe. This shortens theduration and inconvenience of the procedure between taking samples. Inaddition, this facilitates taking sufficient samples to fully excise asuspicious lesion.

Long side apertures of a probe of these biopsy devices in combinationwith vacuum assistance, especially with a separate vacuum lumen, havemany desirable features. However, there are situations in which lesionsnear the skin are difficult to biopsy with a core biopsy probe. This ismore often a challenge with a small breast, especially when compressedin a localization fixture that limits the choice in access direction. Ifthe side aperture of the probe is partially exposed, then vacuum assistmay be ineffective as the specimen bowl in the probe is exposed toatmospheric pressure. Further, skin may prolapse into the specimen bowlbefore the cutter advances into the tissue, causing gouging of the skin,increasing post-procedure pain and scarring.

Consequently, a significant need exists for a core biopsy device that iscapable of taking biopsies of a suspicious lesion that is proximate tothe skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses these and other problems of the priorart by providing a core biopsy device having a probe assembly with aside aperture that is selectively longitudinally sized for takingsamples. A proximal blocking member may be selectively positioned in theside aperture such that a proximal portion thereof is blocked whenotherwise an outer layer of skin would prolapse into the side aperturewhen a cutter tube is retracted and then advanced to take a tissuesample. Thereby, discomfort and disfiguring scarring is avoided whilestill retaining the ability to take a tissue sample of a lesion near toa patient's skin.

In one aspect consistent with aspects of the invention, an apparatus forperforming a core biopsy includes a curved portion sized to correspondto a portion of the probe surrounding at least the proximal portion ofthe side aperture which is held thereover by an engaging structureattached to the curved portion and registered to at least partiallyencompass and engage the probe. A gripping portion attached to thecurved portion allows for a user to longitudinally position the curvedportion over the proximal portion of the side aperture when desired.Thereby, an additional capability is provided for a biopsy device evenwhen its operation requires that a cutter tube fully retract to remove atissue sample before a subsequent translation for taking another sample.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of performing a biopsy of alesion near to a patient's skin may be performed by translating a cuttertube distally in a cutter lumen to a distal-most position blocking aside aperture proximate to a distal end of the cutter lumen, insertingthe cutter lumen through the patient's skin with the side aperturealigned with the lesion, retracting the cutter lumen to a positiondistal to an outer surface of the patient's skin with a proximal portionof the side aperture extending proximally thereof, prolapsing tissueinto the side aperture, and translating the cutter lumen distally to cuta tissue sample. Using the cutter tube itself to block a portion of theside aperture that is exposed outside of the patient's skin avoidsgouging the skin during cutting cycles.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall bemade apparent from the accompanying drawings and the descriptionthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the samewill be better understood by reference to the following description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial isometric and partial schematic view of a coresampling biopsy system with a handpiece having a long stroke cutter forthe collection of soft tissue depicted with a holster separated from aprobe assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the probe assembly with the left handleshell removed, showing the cutter in the first, fully retractedposition, and a tissue sample is shown deposited onto a tissue samplingsurface of the handle after the tissue sample was removed from thedistal end of the cutter;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the holster;

FIG. 4A is a top view in section of the probe assembly and a distalportion of the holster, revealing a cutter in a first, fully retractedposition;

FIG. 5 is a front view in elevation of the probe and probe sleeve takenin cross section along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the probe sleeve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is an isometric view of the probe of the biopsy system of FIG. 1with the probe sleeve at a proximal position exposing a side aperture;

FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the probe of the biopsy system of FIG. 1with the probe sleeve at a more distal position partially blocking theside aperture;

FIG. 7C is an isometric view of the probe of the biopsy system of FIG. 1with the probe sleeve at a most distal position completely blocking theside aperture;

FIG. 8A is a left side view in elevation of the probe and probe sleeveof FIG. 7B taken along a longitudinal centerline of lines 8-8 withvacuum assistance being employed to prolapse tissue into a bowl of theprobe;

FIG. 8B is a left side view in elevation of the probe and probe sleeveof FIG. 7B taken along a longitudinal centerline of lines 8-8 withvacuum assistance being employed to prolapse tissue into a bowl and todraw severed tissue into a sample lumen as a cutter tube is rotated andtranslated in a cutter lumen of the probe;

FIG. 8C is a left side view in elevation of the probe and probe sleeveof FIG. 7B taken along a longitudinal centerline of lines 8-8 with acompletely severed tissue sample captured in the sample lumen.

FIG. 9 is a partial isometric and partial schematic view of analternative biopsy system that includes a handpiece with a short strokecutter that is advantageously configured to perform a cutting strokethat blocks a proximal portion of a side aperture of a probe for takingbiopsy samples near an external surface;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a probe assembly of the handpiece ofFIG. 9 with a holster removed;

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly ofFIG. 10 taken along line 11-11 with a cutter and carriage assemblypositioned at a proximal position;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly ofFIG. 10 taken along line 11-11 with the cutter and carriage assemblypositioned between proximal and distal end positions;

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional isometric view of the probe assembly ofFIG. 10 taken along line 11-11 with the cutter and carriage assemblypositioned at the distal end position;

FIG. 12 is an exploded isometric view of the probe assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13A is a schematic left side view in elevation of a probe of theprobe assembly of FIG. 10 taken along a longitudinal center line incross section with a cutter at a fully retracted position just proximalto a side aperture of the probe;

FIG. 13B is a schematic left side view in elevation of the probe of theprobe assembly of FIG. 10 taken along a longitudinal center line incross section with the cutter at a partially blocking position within abowl of the probe below the side aperture, the exposed cutter being usedto seal an insertion point into tissue as vacuum assist is used toprolapse tissue into the distal portion of the side aperture;

FIG. 13C is a schematic left side view in elevation of the probe of theprobe assembly of FIG. 10 taken along a longitudinal center line incross section with the cutter fully distally translated with vacuumassist being used to both push and pull a severed tissue sample in thecutter proximally; and

FIG. 14 is a left side view in elevation of a distal end of a probe forthe probe assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 9 with a reduced length piercingtip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Core sampling biopsy devices are given additional flexibility to removetissue samples that reside close to an insertion point by incorporatingan ability to block a proximal portion of a side aperture in a probe,corresponding to where the outer tissue layers contact the probe whenthe distal portion of the side aperture is placed beside a suspiciouslesion. This proximal blocking feature may be provided by a separatemember attachable to generally-known biopsy devices, leveraging existingcapital investments in an economical way. In the first illustrativeversion, a biopsy device that includes a long stroke cutter thatretracts fully out of a probe between samples in order to retrievetissue samples is thus adapted when a variable sized side aperture isdesired. Alternatively, in a second illustrative version, a biopsydevice that has tissue sample retrieval that is independent of cutterposition is adapted to employ the cutter as the proximal blockingfeature to achieve a variable sized side aperture.

Long Stroke Biopsy Device.

In FIGS. 1-3, a biopsy system 10, which is described in greater detailin the previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,862, performs a longcutting stroke in combination with vacuum assistance to obtain aplurality of consistently sized core biopsy samples suitable fordiagnostic and therapeutic treatments without the necessity of removinga probe (a.k.a. needle, piercer) 12 to retrieve each sample. Whileretaining a long side aperture (port) 14 in the probe 12 is useful inmany instances to retrieve relatively large samples, there are instancesin which a suspicious lesion has been imaged proximate to the outerskin. Positioning the probe 12 for such a biopsy would expose a proximalportion of the side aperture 14 outside of the patient's body, defeatingpneumatic features of the biopsy system 10. In addition, it should beappreciated that subsequent cutting strokes may gouge away portions ofthe skin that may prolapse into the side aperture 14, unnecessarilyincreasing discomfort and scarring at the point of insertion.Advantageously, a proximal aperture blocking member, depicted in theillustrative version of FIG. 1 as a probe sleeve 16, advantageouslyclips onto the probe 12 and may be distally positioned to selectivelycover a proximal portion of the side aperture 14 when desired.

The biopsy system 10 includes probe assembly 18 that includes a handle20 proximally attached to the probe 12. The biopsy system 10 furtherincludes a detachable holster 22 that serves as a manual user interfaceand a mechanical and electrical connection to a control module 24 thatmay be remotely positioned away from diagnostic systems (e.g., magneticresonance imaging (MRI)) (not shown). The control module 24 includes afluid collection system 26, a control unit 28, and a power transmissionsource 30. The handle 20 is detachably connected to the detachableholster 22. Together they constitute a lightweight, ergonomicallyshaped, hand manipulatable portion referred to as a biopsy device(“handpiece”) 32. The handpiece 32 is fluidly connected to the fluidcollection system 26 by a first vacuum tube 34 and a second vacuum tube36. The first and second vacuum tubes 34, 36 are detachably connected tothe fluid collection system 26 by a first connector 38 and a secondconnector 40, respectively. The first connector 38 has a male portion 42and a female portion 44 attached to the first vacuum tube 34. The secondconnector 40 has a female portion 30 and a male portion 26 attached tothe second vacuum tube 36. The connector male and female portions,42-48, are attached in this manner to prevent the accidental switchingof the first and second tubes 34, 36 to the fluid collection system 26.The detachable holster 22 includes a first rotatable shaft 50, a secondrotatable shaft 52, and a control cord 54. The first and secondrotatable shafts 50, 52 are advantageously flexible so that the operatormay easily manipulate the handpiece 32 with one hand. The control cord54 operatively connects the handpiece 32 to the power transmissionsource 30 and control unit 28.

The detachable holster 22 and the handle 20 are separated in thisdepiction for clarity, although it would be appreciated that they wouldbe assembled during operation. A pair of tabs 60, 62 project laterallyfrom each side of a holster upper shell 64, and insert into left andright undercut ledges 66, 68 of a hollow handle housing 70 of the handle20. A plurality of indentations 72 are provided on the hollow handlehousing 70 to improve the operator's grip on the handpiece 32. A tubeslot 74 in a lower shell 76 of the holster 22 provides clearance forfirst and second vacuum tubes 34, 36. A first switch 78, a second switch80, and a third switch 82 are mounted in the distal portion of thedetachable holster 22 so that the physician can operate the handpiece 32with a single hand while having the other hand free to operate anultrasonic imaging device or the like. The switches 78, 80, and 82 areprovided to operate the power transmission source 30 and the fluidcollection system 26 in conjunction with the control unit 28. A ridge 84on the distal end of the detachable holster 22 is provided to assist theoperator in grasping the handpiece 32 and in operating the switches 78,80, and 82. The ridge 84 further provides the operator with a tactilereference as to where to properly grasp the handpiece 32.

The handle 20 includes a window 86 so that a portion of the first vacuumtube 34 may be viewed. The first and second vacuum tubes 34, 36 are madefrom a flexible, transparent or translucent material, such as siliconetubing. This enables visualization of the material flowing through thetubes 34, 36. By having the window 86 in the handle 20, the operator cansee the flow in the first vacuum tube 34 without needing to look awayfrom the tissue into which the probe 12 is inserted. A transverseopening 88 is provided in the distal end of the hollow handle housing 70which allows access from either side to a tissue sampling surface 90.The tissue extracted from the surgical patient is retrieved by theoperator or an assistant from the tissue sampling surface 90.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the handle 20. The handlehousing 70 is formed from a left handle shell 92 and a right handleshell 94, each injection molded from a rigid, biocompatible plastic suchas polycarbonate. Upon final assembly of the handle 20, the left andright handle shells 92, 94 are joined together by ultrasonic weldingalong a joining edge 96, or joined by any of several other methods wellknown in the art.

The probe 12 includes an elongated cutter tube 98, typically metallic,defining a cutter lumen 100. On the side of the distal end of the cuttertube 98 is the side aperture 14 for receiving the tissue to be extractedfrom the surgical patient. Joined alongside the cutter tube 98 is anelongated, tubular, metallic vacuum chamber tube 102 defining a vacuumlumen 104. Cutter lumen 100 is in fluid communication with vacuum lumen104 via a plurality of vacuum holes 106 located in the bottom of a“bowl” 108 defined by the side aperture 14. These holes 106 are smallenough to remove the fluids but not large enough to allow excised tissueportions to be removed through the first vacuum tube 34, which isfluidly connected to the vacuum chamber tube 102. A sharpened, metallicdistal end 110 is attached to the distal end of the probe 12. It isdesigned to penetrate soft tissue such as the breast. In thisembodiment, the sharpened distal end 110 is a three-sided,pyramidal-shaped point, although the tip configuration may also haveother shapes.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the proximal end of the probe 12 is attachedto a union sleeve 112 having a longitudinal bore 114 through it, awidened center portion 116, and a transverse opening 118 through thewidened center portion 116. The union sleeve 112 is mounted between theleft and right handle shells 92, 94 on a pair of union sleeve ribs 120projecting from each handle shell 92, 94. An elongated, metallic,tubular cutter 122 is axially aligned within the longitudinal bore 114of the union sleeve 112 and the cutter lumen 100 of the probe 12 so thatthe cutter 122 may slide easily in both the distal and proximaldirections. A pair of cutter guides 124 are integrally molded into eachof the handle shells 92, 94 to slidably retain the cutter 122 in ancoaxially aligned position with the proximal end of the cutter tube 98.Cutter 122 has a sample lumen 126 through the entire length of thecutter 122. The distal end of the cutter 122 is sharpened to form acutter blade 128 for cutting tissue held against the cutter blade 128 asthe cutter 122 is rotated. The proximal end of the cutter 122 isattached to the inside of a cutter gear bore 130 of a cutter gear 132.The cutter gear 132 may be metallic or polymeric, and has a plurality ofcutter gear teeth 134, each tooth having a typical spur gear toothconfiguration as is well known in the art.

Still in FIG. 2, the cutter gear 132 is driven by an elongated drivegear 136 having a plurality of drive gear teeth 106 designed to meshwith the cutter gear teeth 134. The function of the drive gear 136 is torotate the cutter gear 132 and the cutter 122 as they translate in bothlongitudinal directions. The drive gear 136 may be made from a metalsuch as stainless steel for durability and strength or from a nonferrousmaterial for MRI compatibility. A distal drive axle 138 projects fromthe distal end of the drive gear 136 and mounts into an axle support rib140 molded on the inside of the left handle shell 92. A gear shaft 142projects from the proximal end of the drive gear 136 and is supported bya gear shaft support rib (not shown) also molded on the inside of theleft handle shell 92. A left cross pin 146 is attached to the proximalend of the gear shaft 142 as a means for rotationally engaging the drivegear 136.

Still referring to FIG. 2, a carriage 148 is provided to hold the cuttergear 132 and to carry the cutter gear 132 as it is rotated in the distaland proximal directions. In the illustrative version, the carriage 148is molded from a rigid polymer and is cylindrically shaped with athreaded bore 150 through it and with a carriage foot 152 extending fromits side. The foot 152 has a recess 154 formed into it for rotatablyholding the cutter gear 132 in the proper orientation for the cuttergear teeth 134 to mesh properly with the drive gear teeth 137. Thecarriage 148 is attached via the threaded bore 150 to an elongated screw156 which is parallel to the drive gear 136. The screw 156 has aplurality of conventional lead screw threads 158 and may be made from astainless steel. The rotation of the screw 156 in one direction causesthe carriage 148 to move distally, while the reverse rotation of thescrew 156 causes the carriage 148 to move proximally. In turn, thecutter gear 132 moves distally and proximally according to the directionof the screw rotation, and the cutter 122 is advanced or retracted. Inthis version, the screw 156 is shown with a right hand thread so thatclockwise rotation (looking from the proximal to distal direction)causes the carriage 148 to translate in the distal direction. It is alsopossible to use a left hand thread for the screw 156 as long asprovisions are made to do so in the control unit 28. A distal screw axle160 and a proximal screw shaft 162 project from the distal and proximalends, respectively, of the screw 156. The distal screw axle 160 mountsrotatably in a distal screw support 48 of the right handle shell 94while the proximal screw shaft 162 mounts rotatably in a proximal screwsupport 164, also in the right handle shell 94. A right cross pin 166 isattached to the proximal end of the screw shaft 162 as a rotationalengagement means.

FIGS. 2-3 also show the first and second vacuum tubes 34, 36 referred toearlier. The distal end of the first vacuum tube 34 is attached to apolymeric vacuum fitting 168 that inserts tightly into the transverseopening 118 of the union sleeve 112. This allows the communication offluids in the cutter lumen 100 to the fluid collection system 26. Thefirst vacuum tube 34 is contained within the hollow handle housing 70 inan open space above the screw 156 and drive gear 136, and exits thedistal end of the hollow handle housing 70 through an opening 170. Thesecond vacuum tube 36 is fluidly attached to the proximal end of anelongated, metallic, tubular tissue remover 172. The second vacuum tube36 exits the hollow handle housing 70 alongside the first vacuum tube 34out the opening 170. A strainer 174 is attached to the distal end of thetissue remover 172 to prevent the passage of fragmented tissue portionsthrough it and into the fluid collection system 26. The tissue remover172 inserts slideably into the tubular cutter 122. During operation ofthe biopsy instrument, the tissue remover 172 is always stationary andis mounted between a pair of proximal supports 176 on the inside of theleft and right handle shells 92, 94. When the cutter 122 is fullyretracted to the first position, the distal end of the tissue remover172 is approximately even with the distal end of the cutter 122. Thedistal end of the cutter 122 when at its first, fully retractedposition, is slightly distal to a vertical wall 178 which is proximaland perpendicular to the tissue sampling surface 90.

In FIG. 3, a right access hole 180 is shown in the proximal end of theright handle shell 43. The right access hole 180 provides access to theproximal end of the screw 156 for operational engagement to the powertransmission source 30. Similarly, a left access hole (not shown) isprovided in the left handle shell 92 to provide access to the proximalend of the drive gear 136 for operational engagement with the powertransmission source 30.

The tissue remover 172 has two functions. First, it helps to evacuatefluids contained in the cutter lumen 100. This is accomplished by theattachment of the second vacuum tube 36 to the proximal end of thetissue remover 172. Since the distal end of the tissue remover 172 isinserted into the cutter lumen 100, the cutter lumen 100 is fluidlyconnected to the fluid collection system 26. Second, the tissue remover172 removes tissue from the cutter 122 as follows. When a tissue sampleis taken, the cutter 122 advances to the fourth position just distal tothe side aperture 14, and a severed tissue portion 184 is capturedwithin the sample lumen 126 in the distal end of the cutter 122. Thenthe cutter 122 translates to the first position so that the cutter blade128 is just distal of vertical wall 178. At this position of the cutter122, the distal end of the tissue remover 172 (which is alwaysstationary) is approximately even with the distal end of the cutter 122.Therefore, any tissue portion of significant size contained within thesample lumen 126 is pushed out of the sample lumen 126 and onto thetissue sampling surface 90. The tissue portion 184 may then be retrievedby the operator or an assistant.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, an isometric view of the handle 20with the left handle shell 92 removed reveals the placement of thecomponents described for FIG. 3. Part of the first vacuum tube 34 hasalso been removed for clarity. The carriage 148 is shown in the fullyretracted position so that the cutter 122 is also at the fullyretracted, or first position. The cutter blade 128 is slightly distal tothe vertical wall 178 on the handle housing 70. The foot 152 of thecarriage 148 is adapted to slide along a carriage guide surface 186 onthe inside bottom of the hollow handle housing 70. A cutter axialtransmission 188 includes the carriage 148, the screw 156, and the screwshaft 162. A cutter rotational transmission 190 includes the drive gear136, the cutter gear 132, and the gear shaft 142.

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the detachable holster 22. Theholster upper shell 64 and a holster lower shell 76 are each injectionmolded from a rigid, biocompatible plastic such as polycarbonate. Uponfinal assembly, the shells 64, 76 are joined together by screws (notshown) or other types of fasteners well known in the art, into aplurality of alignment holes 192. A gear drive shaft 194 and a screwdrive shaft 196 are contained within the proximal, enclosed portion ofthe detachable holster 22. These shafts extend from a grommet 198 whichhas a groove 200 for retainably mounting onto a shell edge 202 of bothholster upper and lower shells 64, 76, respectively. The grommet 198rotatably attaches the first rotatable shaft 50 to the gear drive shaft194 and the second rotatable shaft 52 to the screw drive shaft 196. Thefirst rotatable shaft 50 rotatably inserts into a left bore 204 of thegrommet 198. The second rotatable shaft 52 rotatably inserts into aright bore 206. The grommet 198 also provides a strain-relievedattachment of the control cord 54 to the detachable holster 22.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the gear drive shaft 194 is supportedrotatably upon a pair of gear drive mounts 208 formed into a first wall210 and a second wall 212 of the inside of the upper and lower holstershells 64, 76. The screw drive shaft 196 is likewise supported rotatablyon screw drive mounts 214. A left coupler 216 is attached to the distalend of the drive gear shaft 194 and has a left coupler mouth 218 forrotational engagement with the left cross pin 146 attached to the gearshaft 142. When the handle 20 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to thedetachable holster 22, the gear shaft 142 becomes rotatably engaged tothe gear drive shaft 194. Similarly, the screw drive shaft 196 has aright coupler 220 with a right coupler mouth 221 which rotatably engageswith the cross pin 166 of the screw shaft 162. Each of the left andright couplers 216, 220 have a coupler flange 222, 224 that rotatablyinsert into thrust slots 226 formed into the corresponding portions ofthe drive mounts 158, 160. These coupler flanges 222, 224 bear the axialloading of the drive shafts 180, 182.

With reference to FIGS. 4-4A, the detachable holster 22 further includesa screw rotation sensor 228, available from Hewlett-Packard as partnumber HEDR-81002P, for providing an electronic signal to the controlunit 28 to be described in more detail later. The rotation sensor 228 ismounted within the inside of the holster upper shell 64 and in aposition directly above the screw drive shaft 196. A fluted wheel 230 isattached to the screw drive shaft 196 and extends in front of a lightemitting diode (not shown) contained within the rotation sensor 228. Asthe fluted wheel 230 rotates, the interrupted light beams areelectronically detected and transmitted back to the control unit 28 toprovide information about the rotational speed of the screw drive shaft(cutter tube axial advancement or retraction speed), and the number ofscrew rotations from the beginning of operation (instantaneous axialposition of the cutter 122). Rotation sensor leads 232 pass through thegrommet 198 and are part of the bundle of conductors within the controlcord 54.

The detachable holster 22 has the switches 78, 80, 82 mounted on theinside of the holster upper shell 64. The switches 78, 80, 82 areelectronically connected to a plurality of conductors 234 contained inthe control cord 54. The third switch 82 operates the fluidcommunication between the handpiece 32 and the fluid collection system26 and also sets the control unit 28 to respond to various commands; thesecond switch 80 operates the movement of the cutter 122 in the proximaldirection and sets the control unit 28 to respond to various commands;and the first switch 78 operates the movement of the cutter 122 in thedistal direction and sets the control unit 28 to respond to variouscommands. The functions of the switches 78, 80, 82 are not restricted towhat has been described for the first embodiment. Also, the physicallocations of the switches 78, 80, 82 on the handpiece 32 are notrestricted to the locations depicted in FIG. 4.

Use of Sleeve to Adjust Side Aperture of Long Stroke Biopsy Device.

In FIGS. 5-6, the probe sleeve 16 is shown detached from the biopsysystem 10 and advantageously is open along a lower longitudinal portionto allow for snapping onto the probe 14. In particular, a proximalcollar 302 has an interrupted figure-eight inner contour 304 (FIG. 5)corresponding to a lateral cross section of the probe 12. A loweropening 306 in the proximal collar 302 flares outwardly into a flange308 that has a wider arcing opening 310 so that a right lower portion ofthe proximal collar 302 extends unsupported as a flexible locking lip312. A distally projecting half tube 314 is attached to the proximalcollar 302 and overarches a top portion of the probe 12 with inwardlydirected left and right ridges 316, 318 running along each lateral loweredge of the half tube 314 to longitudinally slidingly engage a pinchedlateral waist 320 of the probe 12. The half tube 314 distally terminatesin a beveled edge 322 (FIG. 6) to provide for smoother insertion at theinsertion point into tissue, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C wherein theprobe sleeve 16 is first proximal to the side aperture 14 (FIG. 7A),then slid over a proximal portion of the side aperture 14 toadvantageously enable a biopsy procedure to be performed very close tothe surface, (FIG. 7B) and then slid further forward to completely blockthe side aperture 14 (FIG. 7C).

In use, in FIG. 8A, the probe 12 has been inserted through skin 340until the side aperture 14 has been placed adjacent to a suspiciouslesion 342. Vacuum pressure as indicated by arrows 344 flows proximallythrough sample lumen 126, through the cutter tube 122 and, as indicatedby arrows 346, through vacuum holes 108 in the bowl 106 into the vacuumlumen 104. The vacuum assistance causes a portion of the suspiciouslesion 342 to prolapse into the bowl 106 of the probe 12. In FIG. 8B,the cutter tube 122 is being simultaneously rotated and distallytranslated to cut a biopsy sample. Vacuum continues to be drawnproximally through sample lumen 126 to assist in drawing in the severedtissue, as depicted by arrows 348, with vacuum also continuing to bedrawn from the vacuum holes 108 in the bowl 106 through the vacuum lumen104 to maintain the prolapsed tissue in the bowl 106 for cutting. InFIG. 8C, the cutter tube 122 has reached its most distal position. Thetissue sample 184 is in the process of being transported out of thetissue by retracting the cutter tube 122 proximally just distal ofvertical wall 178 as shown in FIG. 3 until the tissue sample 184 isejected onto sampling surface 90 via strainer 174 as shown in FIG. 2.

Short Stroke Biopsy Device with Variable Aperture Implementation.

In the second illustrative version depicted in FIG. 9, a short strokecore sampling biopsy system 510 includes a handpiece 530 that may beheld comfortably in a single hand, and may be manipulated with a singlehand. Handpiece 530 may include a probe assembly 532 and a detachablyconnected holster 534. Probe assembly 532 may be operatively connectedto a vacuum source 536, such as by a first, lateral tube 538 and asecond, axial tube 540. First and second tubes 538, 540 may be made froma flexible, transparent or translucent material, such as silicon tubing,PVC tubing or polyethylene tubing. Using a transparent material enablesvisualization of the matter flowing through tubes 538, 540.

First tube 538 may includes a Y connector 542 for connecting to multiplefluid sources. A first proximal end of Y connector 542 may extend to afirst solenoid controlled rotary valve 544 in a control module 546,while the second proximal end of the Y connector 542 may extend to asecond solenoid controlled rotary valve 548 in control module 546. Thefirst solenoid controlled rotary valve 544 in control module 546 may beoperable to connect either the vacuum source 536 or a compressed airsource 550 to lateral tube 538. It is understood within thisspecification that compressed air means air pressure at or aboveatmospheric pressure. In one configuration, when valve 544 is activated,vacuum is supplied to tube 538 from vacuum source 536, and when valve544 is not activated, pressurized air from compressed air source 550 issupplied through tube 538. The solenoid associated with valve 544 may becontrolled by a microprocessor 552 in control module 546, as indicatedby dashed line 554. The microprocessor 552 may be employed to adjust theposition of valve 544 automatically based upon the position of a cutter555 (as shown in FIG. 12) movably supported within probe assembly 532.The second solenoid controlled rotary valve 548 in control module 546may be employed to either connect a saline supply 556 (such as a salinesupply bag, or alternatively, a pressurized reservoir of saline) to atube 558 or to seal off the proximal end of tube 558. For instance,rotary valve 548 may be activated by microprocessor 552 to supply salinewhen one of switches 560 on handpiece 530 is actuated. When rotary valve548 is activated, first rotary valve 544 may be automaticallydeactivated (such as by microprocessor 552) to prevent the interactionof vacuum and saline within lateral tube 538. A stopcock 561 may beincluded in lateral vacuum tube 538 to allow for a syringe injection ofsaline directly into the tube 538, if desired. For instance, a syringeinjection may be employed to increase the saline pressure in the tube todislodge any clogs that may occur, such as tissue clogging fluidpassageways.

In one version, axial vacuum tube 540 may be employed to communicatevacuum from source 536 to probe assembly 532 through a tissue storageassembly 562. Axial tube 540 may provide vacuum through the cutter 555within probe assembly 532 to assist in prolapsing tissue into a sideaperture 564 prior to cutting. After cutting occurs, the vacuum in axialtube 540 may be employed to help draw a severed tissue sample from probeassembly 532 and into tissue storage assembly 562, as will be describedin further detail below.

Holster 534 may include a control cord 566 for operationally connectinghandpiece 530 to control module 546, and a flexible rotatable shaft 568connecting the holster 534 to a drive motor 570. A power source 572 maybe employed to provide energy to control module 546 for powering holster534 via control cord 566. Switches 560 are mounted on holster uppershell 574 to enable an operator to use handpiece 530 with a single hand.One-handed operation allows the operator's other hand to be free, forexample, to hold an ultrasonic imaging device. Switches 560 may includea two-position rocker switch 576 for manually actuating the motion ofthe cutter 555 (e.g. forward movement of the rocker switch moves thecutter 555 in the forward (distal) direction for tissue sampling andrearward movement of the rocker switch 576 actuates the cutter 555 inthe reverse (proximal) direction. Alternatively, the cutter 555 could beautomatically actuated by control module 546. An additional switch 578may be provided on holster 534 for permitting the operator to activatesaline flow on demand into lateral tube 538 (for instance, switch 578may be configured to operate valve 548 for providing saline flow to tube538 when switch 578 is depressed by the user).

FIG. 10 shows probe assembly 532 disconnected from holster 534. Probeassembly 532 includes an upper shell 580 and a lower shell 582, each ofwhich may be injection molded from a rigid, biocompatible plastic, suchas a polycarbonate. Upon final assembly of probe assembly 532, upper andlower shells 580, 582 may be joined together along a joining edge 584 byany of a number of methods well-known for joining plastic parts,including, without limitation, ultrasonic welding, snap fasteners,interference fit, and adhesive joining.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 12 illustrate probe assembly 532 in greaterdetail. FIG. 11A depicts a cutter assembly and carriage 586 retractedproximally. FIG. 11B depicts the cutter assembly and carriage 586partially advanced. FIG. 11C depicts the cutter assembly and carriage586 advanced distally. With particular reference to FIG. 12, the probeassembly 532 may include a biopsy needle (probe) 588 located at a distalend of a handle 589 of the probe assembly 532 for insertion into apatient's skin to obtain a tissue sample. Needle 588 comprises anelongated, metallic cannula 590, which may include an upper cutter lumen592 for receiving the cutter 555 and a lower vacuum lumen 594 forproviding a fluid and pneumatic passageway. Cutter 555 may be disposedwithin cannula 590, and may be coaxially disposed within cutter lumen592.

Cannula 590 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including acircular or oval shaped cross-section. Adjacent and proximal of thedistal end of cannula 590 is the side aperture 564 for receiving thetissue to be severed from the patient. The sharpened tip of needle 588may be formed by a separate endpiece 596 attached to the distal end ofcannula 590. The sharpened tip of endpiece 596 may be used to pierce thepatient's skin so that the side tissue receiving port may be positionedin the tissue mass to be sampled. Endpiece 596 may have a two-sided,flat-shaped point as shown, or any number of other shapes suitable forpenetrating the soft tissue of the patient.

The proximal end of needle 588 may be attached to a union sleeve 598having a longitudinal bore 600 therethrough, and a transverse opening602 into a widened center portion of the bore 600. The distal end oflateral tube 538 may be inserted to fit tightly into transverse opening602 of union sleeve 598. This attachment allows the communication offluids (gas or liquid) between the lower vacuum lumen 594 and thelateral tube 538.

The cutter 555, which may be an elongated, tubular cutter, may bedisposed at least partially within upper cutter lumen 592, and may besupported for translation and rotation within cutter lumen 592. Cutter555 may be supported within vacuum lumen 594 so as to be translatable inboth the distal and proximal directions. Cutter 555 may have a sharpeneddistal end 606 for cutting tissue received in upper cutter lumen 592through side aperture 564. The cutter 555 may be formed of any suitablematerial, including without limitation a metal, a polymer, a ceramic, ora combination of materials. Cutter 555 may be translated within cutterlumen 592 by a suitable cutter drive assembly 607 such that distal end606 travels from a position proximal of the side aperture 564(illustrated in FIG. 11A) to a position distal of side aperture 564(illustrated in FIG. 11C), in order to cut tissue received in cutterlumen 592 through the side aperture 564. In an alternative embodiment,an exterior cutter (not shown) may be employed, with the exterior cuttersliding coaxially with an inner cannular needle, and the inner needlemay include a side tissue receiving port.

Union sleeve 598 is supported between probe upper and lower shells 580,582 to ensure proper alignment between cutter 555 and the union sleeve598. The cutter 555 may be a hollow tube, with a sample lumen 608extending axially through the length of cutter 555. The proximal end ofcutter 555 may extend through an axial bore of a cutter gear 610. Cuttergear 610 may be metallic or polymeric, and includes a plurality ofcutter gear teeth 612. Cutter gear 610 may be driven by a rotary driveshaft 614 having a plurality of drive gear teeth 616 designed to meshwith cutter gear teeth 612. Drive gear teeth 616 may extend along thelength of drive shaft 614 so as to engage cutter gear teeth 612 as thecutter 555 translates from a proximal most position to a distal mostposition, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C. Drive gear teeth 616 may bein continual engagement with cutter gear teeth 612 to rotate cutter 555whenever drive shaft 614 is rotatably driven. Drive shaft 614 rotatescutter 555 as the cutter advances distally through side aperture 564 forthe cutting of tissue. Drive shaft 614 may be injection molded from arigid engineered plastic such as liquid crystal polymer material or,alternatively, could be manufactured from a metallic or non-metallicmaterial. Drive shaft 614 includes a first axial end 620 extendingdistally from the shaft 614. Axial end 612 is supported for rotationwithin probe lower shell 582, such as by a bearing surface feature 622molded on the inside of the probe shells 580, 582. Similarly, a secondaxial end 624 extends proximally from rotary drive shaft 614 and issupported in a second bearing surface feature 626, which may also bemolded on the inside of probe lower shell 582. An O-ring and bushing(not shown) may be provided on each axial end 620, 624 to providerotational support and audible noise dampening of the shaft 614 whenrotary drive shaft 614 is mounted in probe lower shell 582.

As shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 12, a drive carriage 634 isprovided in probe assembly 532 to hold cutter gear 610, and carry thecutter gear and attached cutter 555 during translation in both thedistal and proximal directions. Drive carriage 634 may be molded from arigid polymer and has a cylindrically-shaped bore 636 extending axiallytherethrough. A pair of J-shaped hook extensions 640 extend from oneside of drive carriage 634. Hook extensions 640 rotatably support cutter555 on either side of cutter gear 610 to provide proximal and distaltranslation of the cutter gear 610 and cutter 555 during proximal anddistal translation of drive carriage 634. Hook extensions 640 aligncutter 555 and cutter gear 610 in the proper orientation for cutter gearteeth 612 to mesh with drive gear teeth 616.

Drive carriage 634 is supported on a translation shaft 642. Shaft 642 issupported generally parallel to cutter 555 and rotary drive shaft 614.Rotation of the translation shaft 642 provides translation of the drivecarriage 634 (and so also cutter gear 610 and cutter 555) by employing alead screw type drive. Shaft 642 includes an external lead screw threadfeature, such as lead screw thread 644, on its outer surface. The screwthread 644 extends into the bore 636 in drive carriage 634. The screwthread 644 engages an internal helical threaded surface feature (notshown) provided on the inner surface of bore 636. Accordingly, as shaft642 is rotated, the drive carriage 634 translates along the threadedfeature 644 of the shaft 642. The cutter gear 610 and the cutter 555translate with the drive carriage 634. Reversing the direction ofrotation of shaft 642 reverses the direction of translation of the drivecarriage 634 and the cutter 555. Translation shaft 642 may be injectionmolded from a rigid engineered plastic such as liquid crystal polymermaterial or, alternatively, could be manufactured from a metallic ornon-metallic material. Translation shaft 642 with lead screw threadfeature 644 may be molded, machined, or otherwise formed. Likewise,drive carriage 634 may be molded or machined to include an internalhelical thread in bore 636. Rotation of shaft 642 drives the carriageand cutter gear 610 and cutter 555 in distal and proximal directions,depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 642, so that cutter555 translates within probe assembly 532. Cutter gear 610 is rigidlyattached to cutter 555 so that the cutter translates in the samedirection and at the same speed as drive carriage 634.

In one version, at the distal and proximal ends of lead screw thread644, the helical thread is cut short so that the effective pitch widthof the thread is zero. At the distal most and proximal most positions ofthread 644, translation of drive carriage 634 is no longer positivelydriven by shaft 642 regardless of the continued rotation of shaft 642,as the carriage effectively runs off thread 644. Biasing members, suchas compression coil springs 650 a and 650 b (FIG. 12), are positioned onshaft 642 adjacent the distal and proximal ends of screw thread 644.Springs 650 a/b bias drive carriage 634 back into engagement with leadscrew thread 644 when the carriage runs off thread 644. While shaft 642continues rotating in the same direction, the zero pitch width thread incombination with springs 650 a/b cause drive carriage 634 and,therefore, cutter 555 to “freewheel” at the end of the shaft. At theproximal end of the threaded portion of shaft 642, drive carriage 634engages spring 650 a. At the distal end of the threaded portion of shaft642, drive carriage 634 engages spring 650 b. When drive carriage 634runs off screw thread 644, spring 650 a or 650 b engages drive carriage634 and biases drive carriage 634 back into engagement with screw thread644 of shaft 642, at which point continued rotation of shaft 642 againcauses drive carriage 634 to run off screw thread 644. Accordingly, aslong as rotation of shaft 642 is maintained in the same direction, drivecarriage 634 (and cutter 555) will continue to “freewheel”, with thedistal end of cutter 555 translating a short distance proximally anddistally as the carriage is alternately biased onto thread 644 by spring650 a or 650 b and then run off screw thread 644 by rotation of shaft642. When the cutter is in the distal most position shown in FIG. 11C,with the distal end 606 of cutter 555 positioned distal of side aperture564, spring 650 b will engage drive carriage 634, and repeatedly urgedrive carriage 634 back into engagement with screw thread 644 when drivecarriage 634 runs off screw thread 644. Accordingly, after cutter 555 isadvanced such that the distal end 606 of cutter 555 translates distallypast side aperture 564 to cut tissue, to the position shown in FIG. 11C,continued rotation of shaft 642 will result in distal end 606oscillating back and forth, translating a short distance proximally anddistally, until the direction of rotation of shaft 642 is reversed (suchas to retract cutter 555 distally to the position shown in FIG. 11A).The slight movement of drive carriage 634 into engagement with screwthread 644 and out of engagement with screw thread 644 against thebiasing force of spring 650 b, causes the distal end 606 of cutter 555to repetitively reciprocate a short distance within cannula 590, whichdistance may be about equal to the pitch of threads 644, and whichdistance is shorter than the distance the cutter travels in crossingside aperture 564. This reciprocal movement of cutter 555 may providealternate covering and uncovering of at least one fluid passagewaydisposed distally of side aperture 564, as described below.

The zero pitch width ends of lead screw thread 644 provide a definedstop for the axial translation of cutter 555, thereby eliminating theneed to slow drive carriage 634 (i.e. cutter 555) as it approaches thedistal and proximal ends of the thread. This defined stop reduces therequired positioning accuracy for drive carriage 634 relative to shaft642, resulting in reduced calibration time at the initialization of aprocedure. The freewheeling of drive carriage 634 at the distal andproximal most positions of translation shaft 642 eliminates the need torotate shaft 642 a precise number of turns during a procedure. Rather,translation shaft 642 only needs to translate at least a minimum numberof turns to insure drive carriage 634 has translated the entire lengthof lead screw thread 644 and into the zero width thread. Additionally,the freewheeling of drive carriage 634 eliminates the need to home thedevice, allowing probe assembly 532 to be inserted into the patient'stissue without first being attached to holster 534. After probe assembly532 is inserted, holster 534 is attached and sampling may be commenced.

As shown in FIG. 12, a non-rotating rear tube 652 may be provided inwhich tube 652 may extend proximally from the proximal end of cutter 555just proximal of cutter gear 610. Rear tube 652 may be hollow, may havesubstantially the same inner diameter as cutter 555, and may becomprised of the same material as cutter 555. A seal 654 may bepositioned between cutter 555 and rear tube 652 to enable cutter 555 torotate relative to rear tube 652 while providing a pneumatic sealbetween rear tube 652 and cutter 555. A rear lumen 656 may extendthrough the length of tube 652 and may be aligned with sample lumen 608in cutter 555. Rear lumen 656 transports excised tissue samples fromsample lumen 608 through probe assembly 532 to tissue storage assembly562. Sample lumen 608 and rear lumen 656 are axially aligned to providea continuous, generally straight lined, unobstructed passageway betweenside aperture 564 and tissue storage assembly 562 for the transport oftissue samples. The inner surfaces of cutter 555 and tube 652 may becoated with a hydrolubricous material to aid in the proximal transportof the excised tissue samples.

A lateral extension 658 may be provided and may be supported by andextend distally from rear tube 652 for securing the tube 652 to drivecarriage 634. The extension 658 connects tube 652 to drive carriage 634so that tube 652 translates with cutter 555, and maintains lumens 608,656 in continuous fluid-tight communication throughout the cuttingcycle.

FIGS. 13A-13C provide simplified schematic views of the movement ofcutter 555 during a cutting cycle of the biopsy system 510. As shown inFIG. 13A, cutter 555 is located at a distal-most position with distalcutting end 606 disposed distally of the distal most edge of the sideaperture 564. This position is similar to when the probe assembly 532 isbeing prepared for insertion.

With the probe assembly 532 thus positioned, the cutter 555 is retracteda preprogrammed amount, as shown in FIG. 13B. Thereby, the effectiveside aperture dimension is variably reduced as desired for taking asmaller length sample. The probe (needle) 588 has been inserted to pointwhere an external surface 672 of body tissue 673 encompasses a proximalblocked portion 674 of the side aperture 564 with a distal unblockedportion 675 of the side aperture adjacent to a suspicious lesion 676. Asthe cutting cycle begins as depicted, a lateral vacuum force (indicatedby arrow 677) may be provided in lower vacuum lumen 594. Vacuum force677 may be transmitted from vacuum source 536 through tube 538 to lowervacuum lumen 594 through a flow path provided by union sleeve 598 (notshown in FIG. 13B). This vacuum force 677 maintains a portion of thesuspicious lesion 676 in a prolapsed position inside of the bowl 671 forcutting. Microprocessor 552 may be employed to activate valve 544 tosupply vacuum force 682 when switch 576 is actuated by the user to beginmoving cutter 555 distally within needle 588. Lateral vacuum force 682communicates with side aperture 564 through fluid passageways 678disposed under side aperture 564, and through one or more fluidpassageways 679 disposed distally of the side aperture 564.

Lateral vacuum force 677 may be employed in combination with an axialvacuum force 680 through sample lumen 608 to draw a tissue sample 682into side aperture 564. After tissue sample 682 is drawn into sideaperture 564, cutter 555 may be rotated and simultaneously translateddistally to sever the tissue sample 682 from the surrounding tissue.While cutter 555 advances, vacuum forces 677, 680 may be maintainedthrough lower vacuum lumen 594 and sample lumen 608 to draw the tissuesample 682 into the sample lumen 608 as the sample 682 is severed. Asshown in FIG. 13B, as cutter 555 advances the cutter 555 slides acrossfluid passageways 678, successively blocking the lateral vacuum 677through fluid passageways 678.

When cutter 555 reaches the distal most position, as shown in FIG. 13C,fluid passageways 678 may be completely blocked by cutter 555. Withpassageway 679 open, lower vacuum lumen 594 remains in fluidcommunication with sample lumen 608 through divider 670 despite theblocking of passageways 678.

A predefined amount of time after cutter 555 reaches its distal mostposition and begins to freewheel, the solenoid on rotary valve 544 maybe deenergized or otherwise controlled by microprocessor 552 to replacelateral vacuum force 677 with forward pressurized air (eitheratmospheric or greater) as shown by the arrows 682 in FIG. 13C. Thepressurized air is discharged through lateral tube 538 to vacuum lumen594. With port holes 678 closed off by cutter 555, the pressurized aircommunicates with upper cutter lumen 592 through fluid passageway 679 toapply a force against the distal face of sample 682. The “push” forceacting on the distal face of sample 682 may act in combination with“pull” axial vacuum force 680 provided through sample lumen 608 ofcutter 555 to move sample 682 into and through sample lumen 608 ofcutter 555, as shown in FIG. 13C. Alternatively, instead of employingpressurized air to provide a force on the distal face of sample 682, apressurized liquid, such as saline, may be directed through lower vacuumlumen 594 and fluid passageways 679 to provide the force on the distalface of sample 682. The cutter 555 closes side aperture 564 from theflow of fluid (gas or liquid) so that tissue surrounding the outercannula and side aperture 564 is not exposed to the fluid.

As the tissue sample 682 translates proximally through probe assembly532 towards sample collection assembly 562, cutter 555 may be maintainedin a distal most position. Alternatively, cutter 555 may be retractedback through side aperture 564 towards its initial position inpreparation for the next cutting cycle. After cutter 555 is retracted toits partially blocking position, and the tissue sample is translated totissue storage assembly 562, lateral vacuum force 677 is again providedvia vacuum lumen 594 to draw the next tissue sample into side aperture564. During the translation of cutter 555, cutter 555 may operate inconjunction with divider 670 to separate cutter lumen 592 from vacuumlumen 594.

During the cutting cycle, cutter 555 translates from a point selectivelyeither just proximal of side tissue receiving side aperture 564 or inthe partially blocking position to a point just distal of side aperture564. The severed tissue samples 682 are directed through the length ofsample lumen 608 of cutter 555 and out of the proximal end of cutter555, rather than translating with cutter 555 (with the samples carriedin the distal end of the cutter) proximally through needle 588 to ejectsamples 682 with a knock-out pin, as in some prior devices. Accordingly,the cutting stroke length may be reduced to be just slightly longer thanthe length of the side aperture 564. With the reduced stroke length, thedistal end of cutter 555 (as well as a length of cutter 555) may remainwithin needle 588 throughout the cutting cycle, eliminating the need toaccommodate the full length of cutter 555 within probe housing (handle)589 and proximal of needle 588. In addition, the reduced cutting strokelength reduces the required length of translation shaft 642, since theshaft need only translate cutter 555 a distance slightly longer than thelength of side aperture 564. Reducing the translation shaft length, andeliminating the need to accommodate the cutter length within the probehousing (handle) 589, enables the length of handpiece 530 to be reduced.The time required to acquire each tissue sample is also reduced in thepresent invention, due to the shortened cutting stroke reducing the timerequired to advance and retract the cutter through cannula 590.

It should be appreciated that the biopsy system 510 advantageouslysupports an effectively reduced side aperture mode when desired. Thereduced proximal travel of cutter 555 allows biopsy system 510 to beused on patients where the breast is compressed to a thin cross-section.Under these circumstances, biopsy needle 588 is inserted into the breastand the proximal end of side aperture 564 is not within the breast. Thereduced cutter translation length effectively reduces the length of sideaperture 564 preventing the sharp distal edge 606 of cutter 555 fromcontacting the patient's skin during each sampling cycle. The reducedcutter translation length may be preprogrammed into the microprocessor552 located in control module 546 by the user before or during theprocedure.

Shortened Distal Piercing Tip.

In FIG. 14, a probe 712 for the probe assemblies 18, 532 advantageouslyincludes a piercing tip 720 having a reduced longitudinal length (e.g.,approximately 2 mm shorter) than generally-known piercing tips so as toreduce the “dead space” to a distal end 722 of a side aperture 724 in acutter lumen 726. Generally known dead spaces are often about 8 mm.Thereby, lesions close to the chest wall or the medial side of thebreast may be sampled without piercing as far beyond the lesion. Thepiercing tip 720 may be a flat blade as depicted or a pyramidal tip, arounded cone with needle point, orthogonally crossing flat blades orother shapes.

As an alternative approach and apparatus, a piercing tip with a reducedlongitudinal length may be incorporated into a obturator that extendsout of a sleeve having an open distal end. Once the piercing tip reachesthe surgical site, the obturator is removed and replaced with either ablunt ended stylus or a probe of a biopsy device. The blunt distal endthereof may be distally moved to occupy the location previously occupiedby the piercing tip to closely approach a skin or chest wall barrier.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. Additionally, each element described in relation to theinvention may be alternatively described as a means for performing thatelement's function.

For example, a proximal blocking feature for a side aperture of a coresampling biopsy device may be integral to a probe rather than being adetachable sleeve nor a selectable position of the cutter. For instance,a guillotine door may be slidably attached to the probe, eitherexternally or internally to the probe and either manually positioned orremotely controlled from a handle of the device as desired to shortenthe side aperture.

As another example, a sleeve may include a longitudinally stepped recesssuch that rotation presents either a blocking position or a nonblockingposition, which may be particularly applicable to circular probes. Aproximally placed turn wheel on such a sleeve may provide a visualindication of the current position and the direction of rotation tochange the condition.

As another example, a frangibly-attached blocking member may be formedacross the proximal portion of the side aperture. When a full-sizedsample is planned, this block member may be detached and disposed of.

As yet another example, a similar probe sleeve may be advantageouslyused with a biopsy system that does not rely upon vacuum assist (e.g.,palpitating tissue into the bowl of the probe during ultrasonicimaging).

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A biopsy system comprising: (a) a probecomprising: (i) a needle configured for insertion into a tissue mass,wherein the needle comprises a distal tip and a lateral aperture,wherein the lateral aperture is disposed proximally of the distal tip,wherein the lateral aperture includes a distal end and a proximal end,(ii) a cutter movable with respect to the needle, and (iii) a cutterdrive assembly associated with the cutter, wherein the cutter driveassembly is configured to translate the cutter relative to the needle;and (b) a control unit in communication with the probe, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to selectively drive the cutter driveassembly, wherein the control unit is configured to drive the cutterdrive assembly such that the cutter is translated to a position betweenthe distal end and the proximal end of the lateral aperture therebyproviding a partially blocked lateral aperture.
 22. The biopsy system ofclaim 21, wherein the control unit is configured to transition thecutter between a first position and a second position via the cutterdrive assembly.
 23. The biopsy system of claim 22, wherein the controlunit is configured to selectively transition between a first operationalmode and a second operational mode.
 24. The biopsy system of claim 23,wherein the first operational mode corresponds to the first position ofthe cutter being set to a position proximal of the lateral aperture. 25.The biopsy system of claim 23, wherein the second operational modecorresponds to the first position of the cutter being set to a positionbetween the distal end and the proximal end of the lateral aperature.26. The biopsy system of claim 23, wherein the control unit isconfigured to receive a user input to selectively transition between thefirst operational mode and the second operational mode.
 27. The biopsysystem of claim 21, wherein the control unit is operable to transitionto between a plurality of operational modes corresponding to operationof the biopsy probe.
 28. The biopsy system of claim 21, wherein thecutter is translatable within the needle.
 29. The biopsy system of claim21, wherein the distal tip of the needle is configured to pierce tissue.30. The biopsy system of claim 21, wherein the needle defines a cutterlumen and a vacuum lumen, wherein the cutter is positioned within thecutter lumen.
 31. The biopsy system of claim 30 further comprising avacuum assistance system, wherein the vacuum lumen is in fluidcommunication with the vacuum assistance system.
 32. The biopsy systemof claim 31, wherein the vacuum assistance system is further incommunication with the cutter.
 33. The biopsy system of claim 21,wherein the cutter defines a cutter lumen.
 34. The biopsy system ofclaim 33, wherein the cutter is configured to transport a severed tissuesample through the cutter lumen.
 35. A biopsy device, comprising: (a) apiercing tube having a side aperture oriented proximally relative to adistal end of the piercing tube, wherein the side aperture defines abowl portion within the piercing tube for receiving prolapsed tissuethrough the side aperture, wherein the piercing tube has an exterior anda closed distal end, wherein the piercing tube defines a longitudinalaxis; (b) a cutter positioned within the piercing tube, wherein thecutter tube is longitudinally translatable within the piercing tube; (c)a cutter drive assembly operatively configured to distally translate thecutter tube across the side aperture and to sever prolapsed tissue; and(d) a control module, wherein the control module is in communicationwith the cutter drive to translate the cutter between a proximalposition and a distal position, wherein the proximal position of thecutter corresponds to the cutter being positioned to block at least aportion of the side aperture.
 36. The biopsy device of claim 35, whereinthe cutter comprises a hollow tube.
 37. The biopsy device of claim 35,wherein the distal position of the cutter corresponds to the cutterbeing position distally of the side aperture of the piercing tube. 38.The biopsy device of claim 37, wherein the cutter is configured to severa tissue sample by transitioning from the proximal position to thedistal position.
 39. The biopsy device of claim 35, wherein the controlunit is configured to adjust selectively set the proximal position ofthe cutter such that the cutter is position to provide a plurality ofdifferent partial side aperture openings of the side aperture.
 40. Anapparatus for obtaining a tissue sample, the apparatus comprising: (a) aprobe, the probe comprising: (i) a needle, wherein the needle includes alateral aperture disposed proximally of a distal tip of the needle, (ii)a cutter, and (iii) a cutter drive mechanism, wherein the cutter drivemechanism is configured to translate the cutter between a proximalposition and a distal position; and (b) a holster detachably coupled tothe probe, wherein the holster comprises a motor in communication withthe cutter drive mechanism of the probe; and (c) a control unit incommunication with the motor of the holster, wherein the control unitincludes a reduced aperture mode, wherein the control unit is operableset the proximal position of the cutter such that at least a portion ofthe lateral aperture is blocked by the cutter when the control unit isin the reduced aperture mode.